The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-31
Life at West Point.

Life at West Point.
From PHILADELPHIA Ledger.
An interesting feature of this years re
port of the Board of Visitors to the u S
Military Academy is the description o.
the daily life of the cadet The cadet i,
followed from reveille until taps, through
the section of class rooms, ON the parade
ground, in the various exercises and into
the barracks, where he studies and sleeps
The rooms of cadets and the rules that
govern them in barracks are thus portray
ed, and cannot fail to interest those young
men who have inclinations towards West
Point
The rooms of cadets are more than
Spartan in the severe simplicity that pre-
walls. Each room is occupied by two
cadets, There are two alcovas at the rear,
each of which is assigned to one of the oc-
cupants of the room. In these alcoves are
placed single iron bedsteads. At all times,
except between taps and reveille, the mat
tress and bed clothing must be rolled and
packed in a prescribed manner, and beds
cannot be "made down" until tattoo The
furniture consists Of one small table, which
stands In tho centre Of the room, a: d is
used by the occupants in their studies two
plain wooden chairs, one washstand, one
washbowl and pitcher, one looking glass,
one slop and one water pail, two tumblers,
one broom and two sets of shelves, made
of plain pine boards. A rack for arms and
accoutrepeAts. q pFespihed number OF
wooden pegs in tho walls, and red muslin
curtains on the window serve as ornaments.
This constitutes the entire furnishings of a
room in the cadet barracks, and no other
articles are allowed.
Two blankets and one quilted bedcover
are prescribed as the allowance for each
cadet, and additional bed covering can be
obtained only by permission of the super
intendent or upon the order of the surgeon.
No covering of any description is permitted
on the floor, and no pictures can be hung
on the walls, ThcFa IS a prescribed place
for every article permitted in the room,
every article must be in that place, and
arranged as provided in regulations. All
the rooms are exactly alike in size, ar
ranaement and furniture. Excluding the
two hair mattresses, the entire furniture
of any room in the cadet barracks would
not realize at public sale SIS.
The occupants of each ROOM in turn arc
detailed as "orderlY," This detail con.
tipues for Que week, during which time the
orderly Is responsible for the cleanliness
and good order of the room. Except to
snake up" and ''make down" his room
mates bed, the orderly's duties are those Of
ohambermald, and his responsibility is SC
prescribed that he is responsible even for
the making up of his room mates bed, as
well as for any noise or breach Of Fesula-
tions he may commit. The name Of the
orderly of each room is posted on the
'orderly board" that it may be readily
seen by the inspecting and other officers
who make frequent visits 10 ascertain that
aall is right" The duties and response,
bilitE Of the orderly are thus defined by
regulations
He shall be responsible for the cleanli
ness oPthe washstand, mantel. pieces, shelves
and other fixtures for the general police
of the room, and for the strict observance
of regulations and orders therein.
He will be responsible for the preserva
tion of all property attached to the room
for the common use of its occupants;
Every morning, Immediately after re
yeiilc roll call, he will thoroughly SWEEP
every part of the floor of his room, brush
the dust from the furniture, wood work
and curtains, and sweep the dirt collected
into the hall. The rooms will lot ht
swept out at any other time during th'
day,
He will see that a light is in his room
Immediately after the evening cdl-to-quar
ters, and extinguished when the occupant
are absent on duty.
Every night after tattoo and at or be
fore taps he will cause all the lights in the
room not authorized to be extinguished.
He will answer promptly and fully ever,
official question put ia him by proper
authority concerning his duty as orderly.
The corps Is divided into four compan
les, and in this division the class organiza
tions are not recognized, each compan,
being composed Of cadets from all tn
GLASSES. Each company and its quarter
are superintendei by an assistant instructo
of tactics, who is an officer of the army
The regulations prescribe for each of thes
} officers:
He will inspect the rooms Of his divi
, sion twice, and oftener when necessary
between reveille and tattoo; one Of thes
inspections shall commence between hall
past 8 and 1890 A. NJ, at which time h
will sec that the rules and regulations wit
reference to the police of quarters hav
} been observed in every particular; the othe
inspections will be principally with refer
, ence to the general observance of the acad
emic regulations. He will also frequentI
inspect between tattoo and reveille.
I The inspection between tattoo and rev
ellie is made by the officer in charge, VIII
! is one Of tho assistant instructors in tactic:
, and whose term of duty continues fo
twenty-four hours. This officer is station
ed at the cadet guard-house. The window
J of his Office overlook the barrack area o
| yard, and no cadet can leave the barrack
{ and cross the area without coming unde
J his observation. 1t is the duty of thi
I officer to be present at every formation an
roll-call and to be present in the cadet.
mess-hall at their meals. Thus it will b
seen that the greatest simplicity prevail
7 in the daily life Of the cadet; that he
required to attend to his daily persons
q wants; that he is held to the most rigi
accountability; that he is under constar